Oral Bisphosphonates and Risk of Cancer

Bisphosphonates are currently widely used in the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis, as well as in patients with cancer metastases to bone or multiple myeloma. With a 75 million people affected by osteoporosis in the US, Europe and Japan, this represents a significant population being treated with these medications. 

The benefits conferred by bisphosphonates in terms of reduced mortality and morbidity as a result of fracture reduction are well known, as are some of the adverse side effects such as esophagitis and osteonecrosis of the jaw. However, following a recent report by the US Food and Drug Administration of esophageal cancer in bisphosphonate users, investigators have began looking at the relationship between the use of oral bisphosphonates and various cancers, especially cancers of the gastrointestinal tract, and have produced varying results. Read more>>>>>>>>>>>>>